The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has appointed Noel Travers as its new chairman following a competitive interview process.
Noel will begin his role on 3rd June, replacing David Tonkin, who is standing down after seven years in the post.
Noel is the MD of international railway solutions and services firm, and RIA member, XRail. He joined the rail industry as a British Rail-sponsored Engineering Management Trainee in 1988, and has held engineering and management posts in Chiltern Railways and Intercity West Coast.
Noel has previously held the post of MD at Unipart Rail and Unipart Manufacturing Group. He also served on the RIA Board from 2018 to 2021 and as Chairman of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Railway Division between 2022 and 2023.
RIA Chairman-elect Noel Travers said:
“I look forward to working with Chief Executive Darren Caplan, and the full RIA team, to play my part in helping to take RIA to the next level for its members and to build a bigger and better railway industry at this pivotal moment in the history of UK rail.”
Outgoing RIA Chairman David Tonkin said: “It has been a privilege to serve as RIA’s Chairman these last seven years, and to be involved with RIA in various roles and as a member for many years before that.
“RIA has an incredibly important role, representing its members and helping them to navigate all manner of challenges and opportunities. Having played my part as its Chair since 2017, it is now time for a new Chair to take up the cudgels and I am delighted that Noel Travers – who has served on the RIA Board previously – will be my successor.”
Image credit: Rail Industry Association
